I want a good beach power kite, preferably a four line. I'm considering a tensor 3.2 or a snapshot 2.5 (I would convert to 4). I am concerned the 3 may be too much kite for the beach.... thus considering the 2.5. interested to hear opinions on power difference between the two and if I should just go with the 3.1.

Other than prism power kites are there other kites I should be looking at in thus size and usage range?

The Tensor 3.2 is a nice kite. The conversion from quad handles to bar is a pretty nice touch. I saw one at the beach not long ago and I definetely would get that over the snapshot in a second if price was not the issue.

There is also the PDK Buster Soulfly, HQ Beamer V, Peter Lynn Hornet II, Pansh Flux and Flexifoil Sting.

If you wanted a cross between the snapshot and the tensor like a super fast quad foil the Spiderkites Smithi and Smithi Pro look epic.

Price is not a deciding factor, it was more about getting too much kite if the winds pick up at the ocean.




Spiderkites - look interesting - Are there any US distributors?

Cross Kites Quattro.
2.5M, $165

Cross Kites...

Do you know how it compares to the Snapshot 2.5? (assuming you convert 2.5 to 4 line that is)? Any particular good features/aspects to the cross kites?

Quote: Originally posted by terraxkite

Price is not a deciding factor, it was more about getting too much kite if the winds pick up at the ocean.

If price is not an issue, check out an Ozone 2m or 3m Octane.

Extreme quality. Great kite. Won't launch you to the moon or rip your arms out of socket (minding proper wind conditions for said kite!!!). I would probably lean towards the 3m. I fly static a ton at the beaches with my 3m Flow. For static flying, it does all I want it to do and puts a huge smile on my face.

As far as too much kite, that all depends on the winds you fly in. We all have that issue with fixed bridal kites, and the only way to address it is with different kite sizes for the most part. With a 3m, you will have days you can fly, and days you can't fly. All depends on the wind. On a 3m for me, anything static over 15mph, and I go to the lower size. All depends on skill level, and how much daredevel flows through your veins.

You will get some great suggestions here.
As far as the best, it's what you deem the best
IMHO

I recommended the Cross Kites Quattro because it is more of a professional grade four-line kite than a Snapshot. The PKD Buster Soulfly is a good choice too. Basically you are getting the same performance as say a Peter Lynn Hornet II for less $. In the event you ever wanted to try out a buggy or just get more serious about power kiting the PKD, or Cross Kites will serve you well as respectable high wind kites in your quiver.

I started out on a Prism P3 Stylus which is the model prior to the Snapshot. It was a two-liner that was four-line ready. By the time you buy the line set, handles, and kite killers you are over the cost of a well designed/performing four-line kite. The Snapshots are fun, but not serious four-line kites and performance is not on par with those that have been suggested. You will soon tire of a kite you can't reverse launch and consequently in time you will never pull it out of its stuff sack. I wish I would have skipped the P3 Stylus and just got my 2M Hornet as my first power kite. If the PKD Buster Soulfly or Cross Kites Quattro were available when I bought my Hornet I would have saved quite a bit of $ by choosing either of them even though I have been perfectly happy with the Hornet.

$165 is tough to beat for a decent performing ready to fly four line kite that you will always have a use for.

I recommended the Cross Kites Quattro because it is more of a professional grade four-line kite than a Snapshot. The PKD Buster Soulfly is a good choice too. Basically you are getting the same performance as say a Peter Lynn Hornet II for less $. In the event you ever wanted to try out a buggy or just get more serious about power kiting the PKD, or Cross Kites will serve you well as respectable high wind kites in your quiver.

I started out on a Prism P3 Stylus which is the model prior to the Snapshot. It was a two-liner that was four-line ready. By the time you buy the line set, handles, and kite killers you are over the cost of a well designed/performing four-line kite. The Snapshots are fun, but not serious four-line kites and performance is not on par with those that have been suggested. You will soon tire of a kite you can't reverse launch and consequently in time you will never pull it out of its stuff sack. I wish I would have skipped the P3 Stylus and just got my 2M Hornet as my first power kite. If the PKD Buster Soulfly or Cross Kites Quattro were available when I bought my Hornet I would have saved quite a bit of $ by choosing either of them even though I have been perfectly happy with the Hornet.

$165 is tough to beat for a decent performing ready to fly four line kite that you will always have a use for.

PKD Buster Soulfly 2.2 or 3.3 http://www.pkdkitesusa.com/

All look good. Can someone tell me what makes the Cross Quattro, or PKD, or Ozone 3's better than the Tensor 3.1? Will they be more agile, sporty.... faster turning more performance kites? Since I have the Tensor 5 - I'm open to a 3 that is more performance rated (still static use case).

The Tensor isn't too bad a kite. The snapshot is more entry level.

3.1m is a nice size. Big enough to act like a grown up kite ( not a bumble bee ) and yet small enough to put in beginners hands.
If you are happy with your tensor getting another wouldn't be a big mistake.

The other kites mentioned like Buster and Beamer have similar flight qualities. Not too lifty or punchy but raw power when you want it.

2m makes a BIG difference with smaller kites. I think you will find the 3.1m much more tame. You will be able to fly it in some pretty strong winds.

I have a date with the beach this weekend, so had to narrow it down. Asked a bunch of questions from folks who have flown Tensor's and Ozone Octane and ended up pulling the trigger on the Octane 3. Not sure if rules allow you to state where you purchased said kite, but the shop I spoke with laid out feature/benefit for both kites and bent over backwards to get is shipped out same afternoon. From what I gathered the Octane will do better on the edge of the window and be a bit more consistent. I should have chance to fly it on Thursday before beach weekend to test it out.

Sounds you have a good shop owner helping you. It is OK to mention them.

Ozone quality is up there with the best. They are a paraglider company 1st. Prism is a stunt kite company 1st.Both make a decent kite but Ozone hold themselves to some very high standards. The Ozone probably cost a little more but will be a much better kite.

Makes sense.. when I was looking up info on the Octane I found lots of references to the paraglider by the same name.

- shop was Wind of Change and Kent went above and beyond to get the kite out same afternoon. Now just hoping for enough wind to test Thur/Fri before hitting the beach this wknd.

Kent is A+
He has went up and over helping me as well as many others here!

Funny. Just a couple months ago I asked him the exact same question you did.

You will love the Ozone :evil:

What did you end up going with? I see Flow 3 in your sig.

Kent treats everyone like that.

I picked up the 3m Flow from him last October. But I did ask the same question vs. the Tensor at the time. His Flow line was at closeout prices and I could not refuse that deal so I grabbed the Flow. Not much differences in the two other than new graphics, and tad better upwind ability of the Octane I'm told. I liked the 3m so much that I grabbed a 5m a few months ago. But yeah, if the Flows had not been on killer sale prices, I would be flying Octanes

They are super great for static beach flying. They're just like lazy birds floating on thermals IMHO. Smooth and steady flights. And the build quality.... well, you'll notice that as soon as you take it out of the bag.